Button Size Calculator
Convert Ligne to mm/inches with 1:1 Scale Accuracy
Screen Calibration
Grab a standard credit/debit card. Adjust the slider below until the blue box represents the exact width of your card.
| Ligne | MM | Inch | Usage |
|---|
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The Ultimate Guide to Button Ligne: Measuring and Converting Button Sizes
When it comes to high end tailoring and garment manufacturing, precision is everything. Whether you are designing a bespoke suit or sourcing components for a mass-market clothing line understanding button ligne is essential. While most of the world uses millimeters or inches, the fashion industry still relies on the traditional Ligne (often abbreviated as L) to denote button diameter.
What is Button Ligne?
The term Ligne is a historic French unit of measurement that predates the metric system. Specifically, it refers to a "line" of measurement. In the context of modern button sizing:
1 Ligne is exactly $0.635\text{mm}$.
40 Lignes are equal to $1\text{ inch}$ ($25.4\text{mm}$).
Because buttons are often small and require minute adjustments in size to match the weight of a fabric or the scale of a lapel the Ligne provides a more granular scale than inches alone, allowing designers to communicate exact specifications to manufacturers globally.
How to Use the Button Size & Ligne Converter
Our tool is engineered to be the most accurate converter on the web, offering a 1:1 visual scale that eliminates the guesswork often associated with digital measurements.
Select Your Input: Enter the value in the Ligne (L), Millimeters (mm) or Inches (in) field. The tool updates all other units instantaneously.
Calibrate for 1:1 Accuracy: Since screen resolutions vary, use the Calibration feature. By adjusting the slider to match the physical width of a standard credit card, the button circle on your screen will represent the actual physical size of the button.
Identify Standard Sizes: The tool automatically identifies the Nearest Standard Size. In the garment industry, buttons are typically manufactured in specific increments (e.g., 16L, 24L, 32L). Our tool tells you which standard size your measurement closest resembles.
The Math: Ligne to MM Conversion Formulas
For those who prefer to perform manual calculations or need to verify specifications in a tech pack, use the following formulas:
To find Millimeters from Ligne:
To find Ligne from Millimeters:
To find Ligne from Inches:
Standard Button Size Chart & Common Use Cases
Choosing the right button size is both a functional and aesthetic decision. Below is a breakdown of standard sizes used in professional garment construction:
| Ligne (L) | Metric (mm) | Standard Industry Use Case |
| 14L - 16L | $8.8\text{mm} - 10.1\text{mm}$ | Standard dress shirt fronts and button-down collars. |
| 18L - 20L | $11.4\text{mm} - 12.7\text{mm}$ | Trouser flys, waistbands, and children's wear. |
| 24L | $15.2\text{mm}$ | Suit jacket sleeves (cuffs) and vests. |
| 30L - 32L | $19.0\text{mm} - 20.3\text{mm}$ | Suit jacket fronts and sports coats. |
| 36L - 45L | $22.8\text{mm} - 28.5\text{mm}$ | Overcoats, pea coats, and heavy outerwear. |
Why Visual Calibration is Critical
Most online button charts are misleading because they do not account for your monitor's Pixels Per Inch (PPI). A 24L button might look like a 30L button on a large desktop monitor or a 12L button on a mobile device.
Our Visual Button Preview solves this by allowing you to hold a physical item up to the screen for a sanity check. This is particularly useful for hobbyist sewers who have a stray button and need to find its match or for designers who need to see how a specific diameter "sits" against a sketch.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why is it called Ligne?
A: It originates from the French word for "line." It was the standard unit of measurement for watchmaking and button-making in 18th century Europe.
Q: Is a 24L button the same as a 5/8 inch button?
A: Almost. A 24L button is approximately $15.24\text{mm}$, while $5/8$ inch is $15.87\text{mm}$. In professional tailoring these small differences matter for the fit of the buttonhole.
Q: How do I measure a button I already have?
A: Measure the diameter (the widest part through the center) using a caliper or ruler in millimeters, then enter that value into our converter to find the Ligne size.
